Tuesday, December 13, 2011

With winter coming on, I'm reminded of a frigid, late fall venture up to one my favourite places in New Zealand. Sitting exposed, and high above the treeline, French Ridge overlooks the Matukituki Valley and glaciers of Mount Barff. Here I learned what it meant to sit out a thunderstorm in alpine country. I spent two days in this hut, with no heat, bundled in all my clothes and sleeping bag, the hut rocking and creaking from the massive wind gusts and the rhythmic spattering of freezing rain pelting the corrugated iron roof. Even tho I was cold and stuck, I was in awe by the sounds and power of the alpine storm. And when it finally stopped was the day I fell in love with this place and the magical vision that can be created by a clearing storm.

Shot on a tripod at f/100, 1/160 sec, ISO 100 on April 15, 2008.For more photos visit www.glenndouglass.com

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Three years ago this was my life. Waking up in my van and going down to the shore of Lake Wanaka, New Zealand to have breakfast. Then I'd head off to work at the Lake Outlet Holiday Park to build rock walls for their new campsites. It was a beautiful time, free and full of adventure. Living in my van meant I could go anywhere anytime and I was home. Van living is a bit harder, no sink, no shower, no toilet and no kitchen, but I was far more likely to go to a place like this for breakfast, which I did everyday for quite a while. In a country full of beauty and serenity, Lake Wanaka is one of It's greatest gems, and I cherish the nine months I was able to spend there.

Shot by remote on a tripod at f/11, 1/400 sec, ISO 400 on November 2, 2008.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

St. Ives, England was a lovely surprise. While I was backpacking around England I asked friends, locals and fellow travelers where I should go in Cornwall, and this small little port town was high on the list. I was greeted at first by what I thought was a sleepy little village, but it turned out to be very active place with live music shows, a festival, bustling tourist activity, and a brilliant local art scene. The little art studios were my favorite part of this town. Around every corner were small studios where you could walk in, peruse the art and chat with the artists while they worked away at their next piece. I bought my mom some small stained glass pieces of a sailboat and three small fish. They now hang beautifully in her kitchen window and sway with the breeze when it's open for fresh air. A delightful memory from this delightful English town.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

At nearly 900 years old, the Cathedral of Cefalù in Sicily stands tall as a testament to the Norman empire, once a conqueror and ruler of Sicily. I can't expound on the history or architecture of cathedrals, but I love to photograph them. They were so often the grandest buildings built by a reigning party and loom tall over their cities. Home to not only the spiritual heart of a culture, but some of its greatest works of art, architectural achievements, political power and contemporary styles. Upon entering these old cities one can learn an awful lot about the people who once lived there by looking at their churches and cathedrals.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Okarito is a small village on the western coast of New Zealand's south island. People travel here for two reasons, to paddle out by kayak into this pristine estuary and to see wild Kiwis in their natural habitat. Wet, wild and seemingly untouched, this area of New Zealand is a rain forest of immeasurable beauty, solitude and home to some of the most exotic animals on the planet. Almost exactly 3 years ago, my brother and I stumbled onto this place by accident because we saw a sign for Kiwi Tours on the side of the highway. While we waited for night to fall to set out on the Kiwi tour we paddled out into the lagoon and were treated to some of the most amazing colors like what you see here in this sunset picture.